Heat exchange apparatus and mounting therefor



HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS ND MOUNTING THEREFOR Fiv1ed Dec. 4, 1934 4' sheets-sheet `l @v im Oct. 1, 1935. R. sELlGMAN Er AL HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Filed Dec. 4, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 |NVENTORS w mw wm .L` ED sm @w HAMEL mm Rm ww 2 mf y M @0V HTTOE/VEY HUGH FREDERICK GoonMA/v Oct. 1 1935. R. sl-:LIGMAN ET Al.

HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Fild Dec. 4, 19:54

4 Sheets-Sheet l mvENToRS RICHARD SELIGMAN WILLIAM EDWARD C/eosy HUGH FREDERICK G oooMA/v By ATTORNEY R. SELIGMAN E1- AL HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Filed Deo. 4, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Moray Patented ct. l, 193514 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Richard Seligman, Wimbledon, William Edward i Crosby, Coombe Lane, Kingston, and Hugh Frederick Goodman, Barnes, London, England, assignors to The Aluminium Plant and Vessel Company Limited, Wandsworth, England, a

British company Application December 4, 1934, Serial No. 755,998

` In Great Britain December 9, 19H33 18 Claims.

This invention relates to heat exchangers for fluids and has particular reference to heat exchangers of the built-up type comprising a plurality of pre-formed elements or plates clamped or held in juxtaposed relation in such a manner as to provide passages or channels for the fluids in respect of which an exchange of heat is desired. The invention is particularly applicable to heat exchangers such .as are used for the pasteurization of liquids such as milk and beer.

Hitherto, the aforesaid elements or plates have usually been arranged and mounted so that they are adapted to be clamped between a pair of i of heat-exchanger usually employed, the space occupied by the clampingmeans and its operating means is frequently large in comparison with that occupied by the stack of heat exchange elements with the result that the complete structure often occupies more space than is desirable. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved form of heat exchanger and pressure actuated means, such as, one or more pneumatically or hydraulically. operable pistons, isprovided for bodily displacing the movable end plate towards or. away from the Vfixed end plate. Preferably, at least two such fluid pressure actuated means are provided and arranged diametrically opposite one another or at opposite sides or at the top andthe `bottom of the apparatus, suitable means being provided for ensuring an equal orv even distribution of the fluid medium to such fluid pressure actuated means. The fluid pressure actuated means is preferably associated with .the xed end plate and it will be appreciated that, by equipping the fixed end plate with the means `for effecting the displacement of the movable end plate, the necessity' for providing for a separate support-for the operating elements of the clamping means at a point situated at a suitable distance from the outer limit of travel of themovable end plate is ob- 'viated, and the space required for the complete structure is materially reduced.

According to another feature of the invention, the improved -heat exchanger comprises fixed and movable end plates of rigid construction, a readily operable fluid pressure actuatedmeans by which the movable end plate can be moved bodily away from the fixed-end plate and supporting means for the .heat exchange elements associated or connected with the movable end plate so that the latter and the heat exchange elements move together away from the fixed end plate when opening the heat exchanger. 'In consequence of this arrangement, the heat exchange elements need only be slid along the supporting means once for each opening and closing. operation instead of twice as in the usual forms of apparatus at present in use.

Preferably, the fluid pressure actuated means `above referred to are employed only for the opening and/or the closing of the apparatus and are not relied upon for the maintaining of the components in their operative positions after the apparatus has been closed. For this purpose, it is preferred to provide a separate locking device which may conveniently be constituted by one or more handwheels threaded upon the end or ends of the aforesaid supporting means for .the heat exchange elements, the said end or ends being arranged to project through the front face of the fixed end plate to enable the handwheel or handwheels to be tightened against said plate. Alternatively, the locking means may be associated with the fluid pressure actuated means, e. g., by forming the same on or associating the same with the piston rod or rods. Also, if desired, the apparatus may be equipped with means capable of being brought into operation at the termination of the closing movement for the purpose of apy plying a final tightening or clamping pressure prior to locking. Suchimeans may comprise a high pressure pump for supplying fluid medium at an increased pressure to the aforesaid fluid pressure actuated means or a separate uid pressure actuated means may be'provided for 45 applying the final tightening pressure as, for example, by an inflatable member or a flexiblediaphragm mounted upon one of the end plates, suitable means being provided for regulating the pressure applied.

Means are also preferably provided for allowing for any expansion or contraction of the heat exchange elements or plates during the operation of the apparatus, such means preferably being in the form of one or more resilient memr 55 lower which may be employed.

bers interposed between the stack of heat exchange elements or plates and one cf the aforesaid end plates. For instance, a pressure plate may be provided at one end of the stack o'f heat exchange elements or plates and a plurality of springs kor resilient buffers maybe interposed between such'pressure plate and the adjacent end plate. Alternatively, the aforesaid inflatable member or flexible diaphragm may be arranged so as to bear against the pressure plate and to take up any expansion or contraction which occurs. The resilient means above referred to are preferably located at or associated with the movable end plate or follower although, in some instances, it may be found desirable to provide resilient means adjacent the xed end plate or at both end plates.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into eiect, the same will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through one embodiment of the improved heat exchanger produced in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the control valve used in the arrangement shown in Figs, 1 and 2, the section being taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the casing of the control valve shown in Fig. 4 with the valvevmember and cover removed;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the rotary valve member which forms a part of the control valve;

Figs. '7, 8 and 9 are detail views showing the rotary valve member in three different operative positions;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of heat exchanger produced in accordance with the inventiom'and Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view through an alternative form of movable end plate or fol- Thev apparatus shown in Figs, 1 and 2 comprises a relatively short base I having a fixed end plate 2 extending upwardly therefrom and equipped with a pair of horizontally disposed cylinders 3 and 4 each tted with a piston 5. 'I'he said cylinders are preferably arranged at or near the top and the bottom of the xed end plate but may be disposed in other positions if desired. To the outer ends of the piston rods 6 is secured the movable end plate or follower 'I disposed parallel with the fixed end plate and adapted to be moved towards and/or away therefrom by the movements of the pistons 5 in their cylinders. At its lower end the movable end plate or follower is provided with a roller 8 bearing against and adapted to run on the base I or a separate runway provided thereon so that the weight of the follower is borne by the base.

Between the two end plates is disposed a stack of heat exchange elements or plates adapted to' provide passages or channels for the fluids between which an exchange of heat is desired. Such'elements or plates may be of any desired form, e. g., rectangular, square, circular or coned.

The heat exchange elements or plates may be supported by and suspended from a horizontally disposed bar I5 one end of which is suitably secured to the movable end plate or follower 'I and the other end thereof is slidable within a suitable rangement preferably being such that the front end of the bar I5 protrudes through the fixed end plate and is screw threaded for engagement with a locking device such as the hand-screw indicated 5 atvll. If desired, a locking device may be provided on the piston rod 6. Another horizontally disposed bar 20 also carried by the movable end plate and slidable in the xed end plate, is preferably provided at the lower end of the stack to 10 serve as a guiding means for the heat exchange elements during the opening and closing movements of the apparatus, the said elements being preferably shaped to fit over the guide bar the free end of which may also be formed or adapted 15 for co-operation with a locking device such as the hand-screw 2l. It will be appreciated that by supporting the heat exchange. elements or plates from a member movable with the movable end plate or follower, an important practical ad- 20 vantage is obtained in that, when the apparatus is opened for cleaning or inspection purposes, the heat exchange elements will be carried away from the fixed end plate with the follower and, consequently, need only be slid along their support 25 once for each opening and closing operation instead of twice as in the usual forms of apparatus at present in use. The bars I5 and 20 are preferably readily detachable so that heat exchange elements may be added or removed without dis- 30 turbing the main portions of the apparatus. Fluid pressure may be supplied to the pistons 5 by one or more pumps which may be manually operated and whichlmay conveniently be housed within the base I. For instance, .the base may 35 be provided with three pumps made up of a Lhigh pressure pump 30 and two low pressure pumps 60 and 10 which are adapted to be interconnected with the cylinders 3 and 4 through a system of pipes including a control valve 32 suitably mount- 40 ed in a convenient position on the fixed end plate 2. Details of the control valve are shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and it will be seen therefrom that it comprises a xed casing 41 having a set of ten equally spaced ports or passages -89 formed therein 45 for cooperation with a rotary plate 48 also formed with a set of ten ports or holes Sil-99, the said plate being held against the front wall of the casing through the medium of a cover 49 and a handwheel 50, the latter beingthreaded on to a spigot 50 49a formed on the cover so that it bears against a shoulder formed on a projection or spigot 48a formed on the plate 48 said spigot 48a passing through a gland 48h and a packing 48e carried by the cover 49. The spigot 48a is further pro- 55 vided with an extension 48d of smaller diameter and extending through an opening in 'the boss of the handwheel 50, the free `end of the extension being secured to a handle 53 by which the plate 48 can be rotated when the handwheel 50 60 is slackened back.

The arrangement and disposition of the ports or passages 80-89 can be seen clearly from Fig. 5, which is a front view of the casing 41 with the rotary plate 48 and cover 49 removed, and it will 65 be seen from Figs. 1 and 2 that thevright-hand ends of the ports are connected by pipes with the various pumps and cylinders. Two of such pipes, for example, the pipes 3 I, are connected with two of the said ports, e. g., ports 83 and 85, and lead 70 to opposite ends of the lower cylinder 3, and two further pipes, for example, the pipes 3Ia, are connected with another pair of ports, e. g., the

' ports 80 and 88, and lead to opposite ends of the 3| and3|a communicate with opposite ends of the 'cylinders can be seen from Fig-3, which is a. section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and shows the cylinder walls formed with longitudinal passages or ports 45 leading ,from ports 46 to oppositeends of the cylinder, it being appreciated that the pipes referred to are suitably connected with the cylinders so as to communicate with the ports 46.

Y i Also, four of the above-mentioned pipes, namely connected through ports 89, 98, 99 and 88 with Vto close the heat exchanger.

the pipes 44, lead to thepumps30, and 10 arranged in the base of the heat exchanger, the arrangement being such that one pipe 44 extends from the delivery side of one low pressure pump, e. g., the low pressure pump for the top cylinder 4, to the port 89, while another pipe 44 extends from the delivery side of the other low pressure pump to the port 84. `'I'he other two pipes 44 extend from the delivery Vside of the high pressure pump 30 to the ports 82 and 81 which, as may be seen from Figs. 4 and 5, are interconnected at their right-hand ends by a transverse passage |08. The remaining two ports 8|v and 86 are suitably connected with a source of pressure fluid (not shown). At their left-hand ends (see Fig. `4), the ports 88, 82, 83, 84, 85, 81, 88 and 89 are recessed to receive rubber or other suit'- able flexible lipped packings 5| for maintaining fluid-tight ljoints between these ports and the ports in therotary plate 48. The other two ports of the set, namely the ports 8| and 86, are `elongated in a transverse direction, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, so that they extend beyond the peripheral portion of the plate 48 and are always in communication with the `space inside the cover 49.

The details of the rotary plate can be seen from Fig. 6 and it will`be` observed that the ports 90, 9|, 92, 95, 96 and-91 formed therein, pass right through the plate and that the remaining four ports 93, 94, 98 and'99 are connected in pairs by cored passages 52 formed in the plate. Also, the peripheral portion of the plate is formed with three circumferentially spaced recesses 54 for .engagement with a spring-pressed plunger 55 slidably mounted for radial movement in the cover 49 (see Fig. 4), the arrangement being such that, whenV the handwheel 50 is unscrewed or slackened back, the plate 48`can be removed by the handle 53 into any one of three positions, as hereinafte described.

The three' operative positions of the rotary plate are shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. In the position shown in Fig. 7, one low pressure pump is one end of the top cylinder 4, e. g., the left-hand end, to open `the heat exchanger and the other low pressure pump is connected through ports 84, 93, 94 and 85 with thecorresponding end of the lower cylinder 3, while the opposite ends or closing sides of both such cylinders and the high pressure pump are connected to release by the communication established between ports 86, 81 and 88 and between ports 8|, 82 and 83. Thus, in this position of the control valve, pressure is appliedv to the left-hand sides of both pistons 5 to open the heat exchanger. The next position of the `control valve shown in Fig. 8 shows how the two low pressure pumps can be connected withthe opposite sides of the two pistons 5 so as In this position, one low pressure pump is connected through ports 89, 99, 98 and 88 with the right-hand end of the top cylinder 4, the other low pressure pump is connected through ports 84, 94, 93 and 83 with the corresponding end of the lower cylinder 3 and the remaining ports are connected to release by the communication established between the ports 85, 86 and 81 and between the ports 88, 8| and 82. Fig. 9 shows the third position of the control valve, in which the closing sides of both cylinders are connected with the high pressure pump for 5 the purpose of applying a final tightening pressure to the heat exchanger elements after closing and prior to locking. In this position, pressure is transmitted from the high pressure pump through ports 81, 98, 99 and 88 and through 10 ports 82, 93, 94 and 83 to the closing sides of the top and bottom cylinders respectively and the remaining ports and connections are, as before, connected to release.

Between the follower and the stack of heat exchange elements there is preferably provided a resilient means adapted to allow for any expansion or contraction of the heat exchange elements during the operation of the apparatus, such means also serving to enable an even pressure to 20 be applied to the heat exchange elements when clamping the same between the end plates. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, such means comprise a pressure plate 34 carried by and disposed parallel with the movable end plate or 25 follower 1 and a plurality of resilient buffers or springs 35 interposed between the pressure plate and the follower, such springs being preferably accommodated in suitable recesses formed for the purpose in the inner face of the follower. Also, 30 the pressure plate is preferably provided with a plurality'of studs 36 which are slidable within and protrude through the follower, the ends of the studs being provided withnuts 31 limiting the extent to which the pressure plate can be moved 35 away from the follower by the springs when the apparatus is open.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, after*l the heat exchange elements have been clamped together and the final tightning pres- 40 sure has been applied, the hand-screws |1 and 2| are screwed up so that in case of any slight leakage of the iiuid pressure medium the pressure on the elements will be maintained. Also, as the bars I5 and 20 are iixed'to the follower, they 45 carry the heat exchange elements out away from the xed end plate when the machine is opened for cleaning and the elements after cleaning can be slid towards the xed end plate one by l one.

In Fig. 10 there is shown an alternative form of the invention which is similar in principle to that shown in Fig.- 1 but in which the resilient means interposed between the movable end plate or follower and the pressure plate 34 take the 55 form of an inflatable member or bag 38 provided with a connection 40 leading toa pump not shown. With this arrangement, after closing the heat exchanger by means of the fluid pressure actuated pistons 5 and locking by the 60 hand-screws |1 and 2|, fluid pressure may be applied to the interior of the member 38 so as to force the pressure plate away from the follower for final tightening purposes. The member 38 may be inflated by air or Va liquid medium or a mixture of a gaseous and a liquid medium which may also serve to allow for any expansion of the heat exchange elements during the operation of the heat exchanger. Further, since the pressure supplied by the element 38 is applied over a 70 large surface,` a pressure onlyA slightly in excess of that prevailing inthe heat exchanger passages is'necessary in order to prevent leakage. V

4 Fig. 11 shows an alternative form of follower 75 and resilient means interposed between the follower and the pressure plate wherein a fiexible diaphragm 42 is secured to the inner face of the follower so that a fluid pressure chamber 43 is formed therebetween and so that the outer surface of the diaphragm is adapted to bear against the opposed outer face of the pressure plate 34. If desired, the diaphragm may be secured to the pressure plate instead of to the follower. It will be` appreciated that the flexible diaphragm will function in a manner similar to that of the inflatable member 38 shown in Fig. 10.

Also, the apparatus may be constructed as a double-ended frame with heat exchange elements or plates arranged on both sides of a central or intermediate plate member and means provided for clamping or pulling both sets of heat exchange elements or plates towards the central or' intermediate plate member, such means being preferably constituted by one or more single or double acting pneumatically or hydraulically operable pistons.

The valve 32 and the conduits 3l and Sla ensure an even distribution of fiuid pressure to the pistons.

Having thus described this invention what we claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. A plate heat exchanger for fluids comprising fixed and movable end plates of rigid construction, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed therebetween and fluid pressure actuated means for bodily displacing the movable end plate towards or away from the fixed end plate.

2. A plate heat exchanger for fiuds comprising fixed and movable end plates of rigid construction, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed therebetween and providing passages for the fluids between which heat is to be exchanged, and one or more pneumatically or hydraulically operable pistons for bodily displacing the movable end plate towards or away from the fixed end plate.

3. A plate heat exchanger for `fiuids comprising fixed and movable end plates of rigid construction, a readily operable fluid pressure actuated means by which the movable end plate can be moved bodily away from the fixed end plate and supporting means for the heat exchange elements, Said supporting means being associated or connected with the movable end plate so that the latter and the heat exchange elements move together away from the xed end plate when opening the heat exchanger.

4, A plate heat exchanger for fluids comprising fixed and movable end plates of rigid construction, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed therebetween, fiuid pressure actuated means for moving the movable end plate towards or away from the fixed end plate, and means for applying a final tightening pressure to the stack of heat exchange elements after the heat exchanger has been closed.

5. A plate heat exchanger for fluids comprising fixed and movable end plates of rigid-construction, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed therebetween, supporting means for the said elements, said supporting means being carried by the movable end plate and slidable in the fixed end plate, and fluid pressure actuated means struction, and a stack of heat exchange elements interposed therebetween, said elements being supported by supporting members carried by and movable with the movable end plate and the fixed end plate being provided with one or more fluid pressure operable pistons for moving the movable end plate away from the fixed end plate when opening the heat exchanger.

7. A plate heat exchanger for fluids/comprising a pair of spaced and relatively movable end plates of rigid construction, fiuid pressure actuated means for opening the heat exchanger by causing the end plates to move further apart, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed between the end plates, said heat exchange elements being supported by means carried by one of the end plates, and means for guiding the heat exchange elements during the opening of the heat exchanger.

8. A plate heat exchanger for fluids 'comprising a vertically disposed fixed end plate, a vertically disposed movable end plate spaced from and parallel with the fixed end plate, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed between the end plates, said elements being carried by a horizontally disposed bar secured to the movable end plate, and fiuid pressure actuated means for moving the movable end plate towards or away from the fixed end plate.

9. A plate heat exchange for fluids comprising a vertically disposed fixed end plate, a vertically disposed movable end plate spaced from and parallel with the fixed end plate, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed between the end plates, said elements being supported at their upper ends by a horizontally disposed bar secured to the movable end plate and guided at their lower ends by a second horizontally disposed bar, and fluid pressure actuated means for moving the movable end plate towards or away from the fixed end plate.

10. A plate heat exchanger for fiuids comprising fixed and movable end plates of rigid construction, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed therebetween, at least two fluid pressure actuated pistons by which the movable end plate can be moved away from. the fixed end plate to open the heat exchanger, and means for ensuring an even distribution of fluid pressure to the pistons.

11. A plate heat exchanger for fluids comprising a pair of spaced and relatively movable end plates of rigid construction, fluid pressure actuated means for opening the heat exchanger by causing the end plates to move further apart, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed between the end plates, and locking means for locking the components in their operative positions in the closed position of the heat exchanger, said locking means being separate from the fluid pressure actuated means.

12. A plate heat exchanger for fluids comprising fixed and movable end plates of rigid construction, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed therebetween and fluid pressure actuated means for bodily displacing the movable end plate towards or away from the fixed end plate. and resilient means permitting expansion or contraction of the heat exchange elements during the operation of the heat exchanger.

13. A plate heat exchanger for fluids comprising. a pair of spaced and relatively movable end plates of rigid construction, fluid pressure actuated means for opening the heat exchanger by causing the end plates to move further apart,

a. stack of heat exchange elementsinterposed between the end plates, and locking means for locking the components in their operative positions in the closed position of the heat exchanger, said locking means being separate from the fiuid pressure actuated means, and resilient means permitting expansion or contraction of the heat exchange elements during the operation of the heat exchanger.

14. A heat exchanger for fluids comprising a pair of spaced and relatively movable end plates of rigid construction, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed therebetween. uid pressure actuated means for opening or closing the heat exchanger, and resilient means interposed bef tween one of the end plates and the stack of elements.

15. A heat exchanger for fiuids comprising fixed and movable end plates of rigid construction, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed therebetween and uid pressure actuated means for bodily displacing the movable end 4plate towards or away from the fixed end plate, a pressure plate between one of the end plates and the stack of elements and resilient means between the pressure plate and the said stack.

16. A heat exchanger for iiuids comprising fixed and movable end plates of rigid construction, a. stack of heat exchange elements interposed therebetween and fluid pressure actuated means for bodily displacing the movable end plate towards or away from the fixed end plate, and

means for applying a iinal tightening pressure to the stack in the closed position of the heat exchanger.

17. A heat exchanger Ifor iiuids comprising fixed and movable end plates of rigid construction, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed therebetween and uid pressure actuated means for bodily displacing the movable end plate towards or away fromthe fixed end plate, and means for applying a final tightening prese sure tothe stack in the closed position of the heat exchanger, said tightening means comprising a high pressure pump for supplying iiuid medium to the fluid pressure actuated means at a pressure greater than that employed for opening or closing the heat exchanger.

18. A heat exchanger for iuids comprising fixed and movable end plates of rigid construction, a stack of heat exchange elements interposed therebetween and iiuid pressure actuated 20 means for bodily displacing the movable end plate towards or away from the fixed end plate, and means for applying a final tightening pressure to the stack in the closed position of the heat exchanger, said tightening means comprising a separate fluid pressure actuated means interposed between one of the end plates and the stack of elements. 

